March Roundup

As the lingering summer heat gives way to a mild March, it is a season of significant transition for the industry. This month, we explore the duality of the medium: celebrating Harmony Week and the joy of graphic literacy in classrooms, while navigating complex shifts in the global market.

From the debut of indie  Perentie Press to the expanding horizons of adult-focused manga, the landscape is evolving. We also reflect on the legacy of icons like Tatjana Wood and track the major corporate movements reshaping DC Comics and Dark Horse. Dive in for this month’s essential news and reviews.

NEWS

• Independent Australian publisher Perentie Press debuts in 2026 with graphic novels including Daisy and Bug (April) and Seasons of Clementine (June), plus the YA mystery The Curator.
• The Joyful Reading Company has launched following Beanstack’s acquisition of Comics Plus, aiming to expand digital comic access and engagement for schools and public libraries.
• A Greater Manchester school faces censorship backlash after removing nearly 200 titles, including Heartstopper and Batman, following a controversial “safeguarding” audit of library books.
• Japanese ebook distributor Media Do has acquired U.S. manga publisher Seven Seas Entertainment for $80 million, keeping its leadership and operations while expanding global manga distribution.
• Diamond’s bankruptcy liquidation grows more complex with legal disputes over inventory, but the comics industry is thriving, with multiple distributors and a $1 billion direct market in 2025.
• Legendary DC Comics colorist Tatjana Wood has died aged 99, remembered for defining the look of titles like Swamp Thing during the 1970s–80s.
• At Lucca Comics & Games, comics remained central despite gaming growth, with major creators attending while fans raised concerns about crowds, pricing, and event organization.
• At ComicsPRO 2026, publishers like DC Comics and Marvel Comics showcased strong initiatives, while smaller publishers and the struggling direct market faced ongoing uncertainty.
• Publishers are expanding adult-focused manga, as longtime fans age and demand mature stories, with companies like Fantagraphics, Kodansha, and Seven Seas launching titles for older readers.
• Historian Daniel Best announces his new book on Image Comics, exploring the publisher’s 1990s rise, its rebellious founders, and the lasting impact on creator-owned comics.
• IDW Publishing and Sanrio are launching new Hello Kitty comics, beginning with Hello Kitty: Hello World! by Mariko Tamaki, debuting July 2026
• Dark Horse Comics founder Mike Richardson has exited as CEO after 40 years, as owner Embracer Group restructures the publisher and installs interim chief Jay Komas.
• Creators are urged to oppose proposed U.S. legislation, as censorship could limit diverse comics content and restrict artistic freedom for creators worldwide.
• A recent article by EdWeek highlights how graphic novels and comics can make reading instruction joyful and effective, boosting engagement, comprehension, and classroom literacy.
• A new series edited by Maia Kobabe spotlights censorship battles facing LGBTQ2S+ comics and celebrates queer creators’ resilience through original comic storytelling.
• Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery may reshape DC’s future, as Netflix exits the bid and Paramount plans wider content consolidation.
• Japanese manga publisher Shogakukan apologised after editors rehired an author with a known sexual‑abuse past under a pseudonym, sparking industry backlash and creator withdrawals.
• A vast UK comic archive built over decades by a lifelong fan is being dispersed, marking an emotional end of an era for a landmark comics collection.

REVIEWS

• Shaolin Cowboy: Beginning of the End delivers 21 years of wild, bloody, chainsaw‑soaked action, blending surreal humor and stunning art into a uniquely relentless comic experience.
• 30 Seconds from Gaza delivers powerful, empathetic storytelling, using stark art and gripping narrative to explore human experience amid conflict with emotional depth and clarity.
• Let This One Be a Devil blends surreal visuals and dark humor into a striking, unpredictable comic that defies genre expectations with bold storytelling.

COLLECTIONS

• The CBCA 2026 Notables list showcases exceptional Australian children’s books, featuring several graphic novels and comics celebrated for their storytelling and artistic excellence.
• No Flying No Tights staff picks highlight notable comics and graphic novels with immigration‑themed stories, celebrating diverse voices and perspectives in the medium.
• Kinokuniya’s All the Feels highlights graphic novels and manga that evoke strong emotion, including heart‑wrenching and powerful stories beloved by fans.
• School Library Journal lists 11 must‑have manga for elementary, middle, and high school readers, from swoon‑worthy romance to high‑octane action and imagination‑sparking titles.
• The British Book Awards have announced their first‑ever graphic novel shortlist, highlighting comics and graphic storytelling across multiple categories in 2026.

INTERVIEWS

• Conversations with Lynn Johnston offers insightful, introspective reflections on the For Better or For Worse creator’s life, craft, and enduring impact on comic storytelling
• The Drawing Out Stories project highlights Australian comics creators, featuring interviews, videos, and essays that showcase their careers, creative processes, and contributions to Australia’s comic culture.
• ComicsPRO 2026, retailer and creator interviews highlighted industry resilience, optimism for strong comics sales, new publisher initiatives, and direct market growth after recent upheavals.
• In a new interview, Charleston‑born cartoonist Cash shares how landing his dream comics job shaped his creative path and influenced his artistic ambitions.
• Creator Ben Stenbeck talks about Skinless Man, exploring his artistic influences, storytelling approach, and the intense, visceral style that defines his comic work.
• Barbara Pérez‑Marquez discusses her upcoming YA graphic novel The Curie Society: Game of Code, sharing inspiration, research, and blending science with compelling comic storytelling.

MEDIA

• ​​The teaser for Chip Zdarsky’s MAD About DC excites fans with humor and creativity.
• A video by Comic Tropes explores Nick Dragotta’s art and storytelling in Absolute Batman, tracing his evolution from Marvel/DC to creator-owned work and comparing his style to iconic manga.
• In this video, matttt comic & manga history challenges the common belief that manga is a purely Japanese invention, instead tracing its modern DNA back to American newspaper strips.
• This video by Strange Brain Parts explores the life and legacy of underground comic icon Vaughn Bodē, focusing on his gritty, post-apocalyptic masterpiece, Cobalt 60.
• Lines in motion explores Nihei’s Tower Dungeon, highlighting how expert architectural design and a farmer’s grit redefine dark fantasy.
• Explore Chester Brown’s Louis Riel, a masterclass in minimalist cartooning that transformed Canadian history into a cinematic and influential graphic biography.
• From pharmacist to pop-culture icon.Discover how Naoko Takeuchi blended high fashion, chemistry, and cosmic astronomy to engineer the global “magical girl” phenomenon, Sailor Moon.

NEW GRAPHIC NOVELS

Junior

• The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Die A Graphic Memoir by Peter Lantos, Stebleva Victoria  (Scholastic) [ 9781761646287]
• The Greeniesby Emma Mills, Sarah Nicole Kennedy (Henry Holt and Co) [9781250815774]
• Legends in the Heightsby Marguerite Dabaie (Andrews McMeel Publishing) [9798881602482]
• Lionel Messi’s World Cup Triumph by Chris Barish, Nate Sweitzer (Abrams) [9781419779404]
• The Lionharts by Mike Lawrence (ABRAMS) [9781419759970]
• PAWS The Trouble With Leo By: Nathan Fairbairn, Michele Assarasakorn (Scholastic) [9780241759783]
• Run Home by Alyssa Bermudez (St Martin’s Press) [9781250774316] [Australian creator]
• Sloomoo Making Friends by Melissa de la Cruz (Encantos) [9781954689367]
• Spider-Man: Cosmic Chaos! (A Mighty Marvel Team-Up) by Mike Maihack (ABRAMS)  [9781419770524]
• Three’s A Crowd Sweet Valley Twins #7 by: Francine Pascal, Nicole Andelfinger, Claudia Aguirre (Scholastic) [9781761810497]

YA

• Armaveni: A Graphic Novel of the Armenian Genocide by Nadine Tavkoiran (Levine Querido) [9781646146369]
• Bad Kid: My Life As a Troubled Teen by Sofia Szamosi (Quarto UK) [9781836001928]
• Bendy and the Silver Screams by Dave Scheidt, Alex Arizmendi (Scholastic) [9781546166672]
• Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter by Jay Kristoff, Tirso Cons, Tom Taylor, Riccardo Federici (DC Comics) [9781799509448] [Australian creators]
• The Girl Who Draws on Whales by Ariela Kristantina (Dark Horse) [9781506746951]
• Ichi the Witch Vol 1 by Osamu Nishi, Shiro Usazaki (VIZ Media) [9781974757756]
• Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks (First Second) [9781250838742]
• Lord of Mysteries, Vol. 2 The Clown, Part 2 by Amixy (Yen Press) [9798855414271]
• Please Look After the Dragon Vol 1 by Shoun Makise, Yuki Higashiura (Yen Press) [ 9798855421842]
• Punk Like Me by JD Glass, Kris Dresen (Street Noise Books) [9781951491390]
• Skating Wilder by: Brandon Dumais, AJ Dungo (Flying Eye Books) [9781913123208]

Adult

• Absolute Flash Vol. 1 Of Two Worlds by Jeff Lemire (DC Comics) [9781799505198]
• Blades of the Guardians Volume 1 by Xianzhe Xu, Nube Consulting (ABRAMS) [9781419784996]
• Crazy for You by Paul Theroux, Steve Lafler (Fantagraphics) [9798875001659]
• Dear Historian by Joff Winterhart (Jonathan Cape) [9781787332669]
• Hellboy Universe The Secret Histories Volume 1 by Chris Roberson, Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
• (Dark Horse) [9781506754628]
• Lavender Jack Volume 1 by Dan Schkade, Jenn Manley Lee (Dark Horse) [9781506753591]
• The Legend of Vox Machina The Whitestone Chronicles Volume 2 by Marieke Nijkamp, Travis Hymel, Diana Sousa (Dark Horse) [9781506740331]
• The Lights of Niterói by Marcello Quintanilha (Fantagraphics) [9798875001772]
• Locas: The Maggie and Hopey Stories by Jaime Hernandez (Fantagraphics) [9798875001727]
• Mama Came Callin’ by Ezra Clayton Daniels, Camilla Sucre (Harper Collins) [9780063239562]
• Reborn Library Edition by Greg Capullo, Mark Millar (Dark Horse) [9781506748917]
• The Undertaker Volume 1 The Gold Eater & Dance of the Vultures by Xavier Dorison, Ralph Meyer (ABRAMS) [9781419788864]
• The Woodchipper by Joe Ollman (Drawn & Quarterly) [9781770468238]